Integrator



Nov. 16 1926.

J. L. HODGSON INTEGRATOR Filed June 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 16,1926.

J. L. HODGSON INTEGRATOR Filed June 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. L. HODGSONINTEGRATOR Nov. 16, 1926. 1,607,537

Filed June 1925 v 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 16 1926.

J. L. HODGSON IN TEGRATOR e Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 5, 1925 WW fwd 3 a8 Ma g1 2 "w (M fl Nov. 16 1926. 7 1,607,537

' J. L. HODGSON INTEGRATOR Filed June 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 ,[770677707'@7072? Zawazme fid $077.

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Nov. 16 1926.

INTEGRATOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 25 1925 Patented Nov. .16, 1926.

' UNITED STATES JOHN LAWRENCE HODGSON, F NEAR LEIGHTON BUZZARD, ENGLAND.

INTEGRATOB.

Application filed June 25, 192-5, Serial No. 39,582, and in GreatBritain June 30, 1924.

This invention relates to integrating apparatus of the type in which apivoted arm moved about its pivot according to the var ation in thevariable to be integrated carrles a planimeter wheel and a counteractuated thereby, the wheel being driven by a consta-ntly rotatedfriction disk. paratus as hitherto constructed, the wheel has been somounted that variation 1n the position of the arm has only varied theangular setting of the wheel upon the disk, without varying the distanceof the point of contact of the wheel with the disk from the centreof thelatter; consequently the change in the rate at which the counter isactuated, due to small angular movement of the arm, has been indefinite,and the counter has not therefore given a true indication.

Accordin to this invention the wheel so mounte on the pivoted arm thatits axis is separated by a considerable amount from the pivot of thearm, and thus movements of the arm cause the distance between the pointof contact of the wheel with the disk and the centre of the disk to bevaried so that the speed at which the wheel is rotated depends not onlyupon the angular setting of the wheel but also upon its distance fromthe centre of the disk. Inasmuch as the wheel is thus caused to movemore or less broadside on over the surface of the disk, it is preferablyprovided with a series of-rollers arranged round its periphery in orderto reduce the effort necessary to turn the arm about its pivot. In caseswhere the motion to be integrated may vary rapidly, the periphery of theWheel, or its rollers if they are fitted, may be roughened or knurled togive a better grip betweenthe disk and the wheel.

Preferably the wheel is carried by a spindle, journalled in a framewhich itself is journalled in a bracket carried by the arm, and on thespindle is a bevel wheel meshing with a bevel wheel on a second spindlewhich drives the counter.

Preferably also the arm is so weighted that the position of the centreof'gravlty of the arm and ofthe mechanism carried by it is such as toproduce the necessary friction be tween the driving disk andtheplanimeter wheel. Alternatively, the arm may be balanced and thenecessary contact pressure produced by a spring.

The arm may be turned about its pivot In such apnectedto a cam 7 througha in various Ways, which it is deslred to integrate. When such apparatusis used to integrate the indications of a fluidv flow meter, one end ofthe arm preferably carries a roller upon which bears a cam or equivalentmechanism set,

for instance, by the movement of a float in one leg of a U tubecontaining mercury, the two legs of which may be connected to theupstream and throat of a Venturi meter or to an orifice, Pitot tube orthe like.

Thedriving disk is preferably coated with a sheet of rubber, paper orother suitable material. If it be desired to record the flow or otherquantity to be integrated, this may b'e' made on a chart or diagram bymeans of a pen actuated by the movements of the pivoted. arm.

A further object of my invention is to provide an integrator of thisdescription wherein theplanimeter wheel is moved arcuately over the faceof the disk in an are not including the center of rotation of the disk,to attain the advantages portrayed above,

These and such other objects of my invention as may hereinafter appearW111 be best understood from a description of em' bodiments thereof,such as are shown in the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showingthe princile of working, Figure 2 an elevation of one orm-of theapparatus, Figure 3 a part sectional side elevation of- Figure 2, andFigures 4 to 12 illustrate modifications, Figures 4, 5 and 6 beingelevations, and Figures"? to 12 being sectional elevations. Fi ure 13 isan elevation of a further modi cation,

and Figure 14 is a sectional end elevation thereof. Figures 15 and 16are detail'views of the planimeter wheel.

according to the motion Referring more particularly to Figure 1, I

1 is a float located in a chamber '2' forming one leg of a U tube whichcontains mercury, the ot er leg of whichis formed by a chamher 3, thechambers 2 and 3 communicatin through a passage 4. The float 1 isconnected to a lever 5 by a link 6, said lever being conland in thecasing of chamber 2. 8 is a rol er engaging the cam 7 and mounted at oneend of an arm 9 which is pivoted at a point coincident with the centreof a counter 10, said armbeing fast with a frame 11 provided withbearings for a spindle 12. Fast on the spindle 12 the is a planimeterwheel 13, provided around its periphery with a series of rollers 14 (seeFigures-15 and 16) in order to reduce the effort necessary to turn thearm about its ivot. Also fast. on the spindle 12 is a evel wheel 15, inmesh with a bevel Wheel 16 fast on a spindle 17 which operates thecounter 10. The roller 8 onarm 9 is caused to engage the cam 7 by aweight 18 carried at the end of an arm 19. 20 is a disk which is drivenat a constant speed and engages the planimeter wheel 13. 21 is-a Venturitube,

22 a pipe connecting the throat thereof with the chamber 2, and 23 is apipe connecting the upstream with the chamber 3 In operation, any riseor fall of the float 1 in the chamber 2 is proportional to the flowthrough the Ve'nturi tube 21, and causes the cam 7 to turn, thus rockingthe arm 9, there-' by moving the planimefer wheel 13 arcuately acrossthe disk 20. When the axis of the wheel -13 is coincident with thetangent of the direction of motion of the disk 20, i. e when the planeof the wheel 13 is coincident with a line joining the axis of the disk20, and the axis about which the frame 11 turns,there will be'no motionimparted to the wheel 13. On the other hand, when the frame 11 is rockeduntil the planimeter wheel 13 takes up a position such that its axis isat right angles to the tangent of the direction of motion of the disk20, said wheel 13 will be rotated at its maximum rate. The speed oflanimeter wheel will consequently depend upon its angular settingrelatively to the disk 20, and therefore upon the rate of flow, sincethe cam 7, and thereby the planimeter wheel 13, are moved a distanceproportional thereto by the float 1.

Preferably the frame 11 and the parts carried thereby are of suflicientweight, or are so weighted, as to produce the necessary pressure betweenthe wheel 13 and the disk 20, or a spring may be. provided therefor.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, similar parts having similar numerals, 24is an arm secured to the frame 11 and carrying at its upper end amarking instrument 25 of usual construction adapted to move over a chartor diagram 26 carried by a drum 27 driven in any suitable manner. 28 areair vent cocks communicating with the pipes 22, 23, and 29 is anequalizing cook. The disk 20 is driven by means'of clockwork 30. Theindicating and recording ap aratus, together with the operating means terefor, are enclosed within a casin 31 having a glass inspection door 32pivote thereon.

' In the arrangement shown in Figure 4, the arm 24 carrying the markinginstrument 25, is pivoted at 33 to the casing 31. The arm 24 is providedwith an; arm 34, so arranged that the angle between them can be slightlyvaried for the purpose of setting the instrument by an ad1ustingscrew35. The arm 34 diagram 26, an indicator 38 and alsoa count- In Figure 1,3, 9, 10 and 12, the chamber 3 is so shaped as to give equal spacing forflow. In Figures 7, 8 and 11 the chamber 3 is of uniform-section, thecams 7 thereof being of such a shape as to cause the arm 9 to move adistance proportional to the square root of the flow in the Venturi tube21.

' The chambers 2 and 3 may be formed by F a single casing, divided fromeach other by a partition'40, as shown inFigures 3, 7, 10, 11 and 12, orthey may be formed by separate casings connected to each other by apassage'4, as shown in Figures 1, 8 and 9.

In Figures 7 and 12, the cam 7 has fast on it a pinion 41 in mesh with arack 42, carried by the float 1, whereby the cam is turned as the floatrises or falls.

In practice it has been found diflicult to shape the cam 7 to giveaccurate readings below a certain minimum value, say one eighth of the'full indication. In the arrangement shown in Figures 13 and 14, meansare provided for preventing the planimeter wheel from actuatin thecounter 10 below this reading, and conslst of a lever 43 pivoted at 44to a convenient part of the easing, and provided with an adjustablescrew 45 and with a spring 46 for maintaining the lever in position. Theupper end of the lever 43 is provided with an inturned projection 47,adapted to engage a toothed wheel 48 fast on the spindle 12 carrying theplanimeter wheel 13.

In operation, if the planimeter wheel 13 is moved by the cam 7 to aposition below the minimum reading, the toothed wheel 48 engages theprojection 47 of the lever 43, whereby the planimeter wheel 13 isprevented from rotation.

When it is desired to remove the diagram 26, the marking instrument 25and planimeter wheel 13 are moved clear thereof, the teeth of the wheel48 remaining in engagement with the rejection 47 on the lever 43 whichis I'OCkBCi on its pivot 44 against the action of the spring 46.

The planimeter wheel 13 is normally pressed on to the surface of thedisk 20 by a counterweight 49 on the frame 11 which rocks on a pivot pin50, said rocking motion being limited by adjustable screws 51, so thatwhen changing the diagram, the toothed wheel 48 is prevented from movingout of engagement with the projection 47. Obviously a spring may beemployed in place of the counterweight 49.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to the' specificembodiments shown and that various deviations may' be made therefromwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims:

I claim I 1.' An integrating flow meter comprising a pressuredifferential producing element attached to a conduit, a constantlyrevolving disc, an arm pivotally mounted on said flow meter adjacent tosaid revolving disc, a planimeter wheel attached to a spindle revolvablymounted on said arm in roller contact with said disc with the axisthereof separated by a substantial amount from the pivot point and fromthe center of rotation of said disc, a counter mechanism driven by saidplanimeter wheel and means actuated by said pressuredifferentialproducing element to pivot said arm and thus to move saidwheel in an arcuate line not including the centre of rotation-of saiddisk over the face of said revolving disc on changes in rate of flow insaid conduit whereby movements of the arm cause the distance between thepoint of contact of the wheel with the disc and the center of the discto be varied so that the speed at which the wheel is rotated dependsupon its distance from the center of the disc, and also upon the angularsetting of the wheel.

2. An integrating fiow meter comprising a pressure ditl'erentialproducing element attached to a conduit, a U-tube having the oppositelegs thereof attached to opposite sides of said pressure differentialproducing element having a float actuated by the height of the fluid inone leg thereof, a constantly revolving disc, an arm pivotally mountedon said flow meter adjacent to said revolving disc having a studprojecting laterally from the lower end thereof, a planimeter wheelrevolvably mounted on a spindlerevolvably mounted on said arm with theaxis thereof separated by a considerable amount from said pivot pointand from the center of rotation of said disc, a counter mechanism drivenby said planimeter wheel, an oscillatable cam having the surface thereofcontacted by said stud on said pivoted arm, and means actuated bysaidfloat to rock said cam with changes in the height thereof wherebymovements of the arm may cause the wheel to move in an arcuate line notincluding the centre of rotation of said disk to' vary the distancebetween the point of contact of the wheel with the disc and the centerof the disc so that the speed at which the wheel is rotated depends.upon its distance from the center of, the disc, and also upon theangular setting of the wheel.

3. In an lntegrating flow meter having a pressure diilerential producingelement attached to a conduit, a constantly revolving disc, an armpivotally mounted on said flow meter adjacent to said revolving disc, aplanimeter wheel attached to a spindle revolvably mounted on said arm inroller contact with said disc with the axis thereof separated by asubstantial amount from the pivot point and from the center of rotation:of said disc, a counter mechanism driven by said planimeter wheel andmeans actuated by said pressure diiferential producing element to pivotsaid arm and thus to move said wheel in an arcuate line not includingthe centre of rotation of said disc over the face of'said revolvingdisc'on changes in rate of flow in said conduit whereby movements of thearm cause the distance between the point of contact of the wheel withthe disc and the center of the disc to be varied so that the speed atwhich the wheel is rotated depends upon its distance from the center ofthe disc, and also upon 'the angular setting of the wheel, meansattached to said flow meter for rendering the planimeter wheelnonrotatablewhen relatively near the center of rotation of said disc.

4. In an integrating flow meter having a pressure differential producingelement attached to a conduit, a constantly revolving disc, an armpivotally mounted on said flow meter adjacent to said revolving disc, aplanin'leter wheel attached to a spindle revolvably mounted on said armin roller'contact with said disc with the axis thereof separated by asubstantial amount from the pivot point and from the center of rotationofsaid disc, a counter mechanism driven by said planimeter wheel andmeans actuated by said pressure differential producingelement to pivotsaid arm and thus to move said wheel in an arcuate line not includingthe centre of rotation of said disc over the face of said revolving discon changes in rate of flow in said conduit whereby movements of the armcause the distance between the point of contact of the wheel with thedisc and the center of the disc to be varied so that the speed at whichthe wheel is rotated de; pends upon'its distance from the center of thedisc, and also upon the angular setting of the wheel, a toothed wheelconnected to said planimeter wheel and a projection attached to saidflow meter adapted to engage said toothed wheel to render saidplanimeter wheel non-rotatable when relatively near the center ofrotation of said disc.

5. In an integrator having a revolvable disc, a planimeter wheel inroller contact with said disc, a counter mechanism driven by saidplanimeter wheel and means to vary the position of said planimeter wheelon the face of said disc, means to render said planimeter wheelinoperative when relatively near the zero operating position thereof.

6. In an integrator having a revolvable disc, a planimeter wheel. inroller contact with said disc, a counter mechanism driven by saidplanimeter wheel and means to vary the position of the planimeter wheelon the face of said disc, a toothed wheel connected to said planimeterwheel and a projection attached to said integrator adapted to engagesaid toothed wheel to render said pla-' nimeter inoperative whenrelatively near the zero operating position thereof.

7. In an integrator having a revolvable disc, an arm pivotally mountedon said integrator adjacent to said revolvable disc, a

planimeter wheel in roller contact with said disc mounted on a spindlerevolvably mounted on said arm with the axis thereof separated by asubstantial amount from the pivot'point of said arm and from the centerof rotation of'said disc, a counter mechanism driven by said wheel andmeans to pivot said arm and thus to move said wheel over the face of therevolving disc in an arcuate line not including the centre of rotationof said disc whereby movements of the arm cause the distance between thepoint of,

contact of the .wheel with the disc and the center of the disc to bevaried so that the speed at which the wheel is rotated depends upon itsdistance from the center of the disc, and'also upon the'angular settingof the wheel, means attached to said flow meter for rendering theplanimeter wheel non-rotatof rotation-of said disc, a counter mechanismdriven bysaid wheel. and means to pivot said arm and thus to move saidwheel over the face of the revolving disc inan arcuate line notincluding the centre of rotation of said disc whereby movements of thearm cause the distance betwen the point of contact of the wheel with thedisc and the center of the disc to bevaried so that the speed at whichthe wheel is rotated depends upon its distance from the center of thedisc, and also upon the angular setting of the wheel, a toothed wheelconnected to said planimeter wheel and a projection attached to saidflow meter adapted to engage said toothed wheel to render saidplanimeter wheel non-rotatable when relatively near the 60' center ofrotation of said disc..

9. In an..integrator, the combination. of a revolvable disc, an armpivotally mounted on said integrator adjacent to said revolvable disc,9. planimeter wheel in roller contact with said disc mounted on a sindle revolvably mounted on said arm, wit the axis thereof separated by'a-substantial amount from the pivot point of said arm and from thecenter of rotation of said disc, a counter mechanism driven by saidwheel and means to pivot said arm. and thus to move said wheel overtheface of the revolving disc in an arcuate "line not including the centreof rotation of said disc whereby movements of the arm cause the distancebetween the point of contact of the wheel with the disc and the centerof the disc to be variedlso that the speed at'which the wheel is rotateddepends upon its distance from the center ofthe disc, and also upon theangular setting of the wheel.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signedmy name this 10th day of June, 1925. v 1

JOHN LAWRENCE HODGSON.

